Posted on 07/24/2006 9:53:46 AM PDT by Adder
2 hikers missing found in mountains
ROARING GAP (AP) — Two hikers from Miami survived three nights in the rugged mountains of North Carolina on hard candy and creek water before finding the Blue Ridge Parkway on Monday and waving down a maintenance truck.
The hikers found the parkway about 9:15 a.m., said Charlie Peek of the state Division of Parks and Recreation.
"It's extremely rugged territory, particularly off trail," Peek said.
Search teams spent part of the weekend combing parts of the more than 13,000-acre park in Wilkes and Alleghany counties for Craig Patterson, 44, and Julia Martinez, 35, Peek said.
The couple was at Patterson's vacation home in Alleghany County and went to the park to hike to a waterfall a couple of miles from the parking lot and have a picnic. Their 2000 Mercedes Benz was found Friday afternoon with the picnic lunch inside. About 30 searchers looked Sunday for the pair and a Highway Patrol helicopter swept the area.
"They said they got confused and instead of going back down the trail they kept going up," Peek said. "The trail ends in that area and they kept gaining in elevation."
Peek said neither person was injured and that they survived in the woods with simple rations.
No Woodsey Awards for these two!
Just kidding ya.
: )
Yeah...my apologies. It didn't look like that when I hit "post".
So, they found 4 hikers?
If they got lost in Stone Mountain, they were doubly lost....
If they can afford a Mercedes Benz, maybe they should invest in a GPS receiver.
Huh?
I was thinking the same thing, I bought one back in 1999 for $80.00 it's waterproof and floats.
Also, if you get lost on a trail while going uphill, a good plan would be to stop, turn around, and begin walking downhill rather than forging on uphill.
If they weren't smart enough just to hike back downhill as soon as they realized they were lost, I doubt a GPS would have done them much good anyway.
There is a lot of "DOH!" in this story. Your point is one.
Another is that they drank from creeks. Water runs down hill to bigger water. If you are lost, follow the water out.
In Stone Mountain Park, that leads to Middle Prong of Roaring River. Its right along the road.
[I'm still trying to imagine what waterfall they went to look at.]
"2 Hikers Missing Found in Mountains".
This reporter sounds like a product of dumed down inglish class high skool!
Duh!
"Also, if you get lost on a trail while going uphill, a good plan would be to stop, turn around, and begin walking downhill rather than forging on uphill."
That would take a measure of common sense which is beyond this couples ability.
Topo maps work wonders.
Now, I must add that it takes time to learn what you are looking at and to know for certain what features are in front of you.
Lost in the forest for 3 days!
O, laziness is powerful - isn't it.
Laziness or something else.
I know the park they were in fairly well...you have to really work at getting turned around in it. Not being able to get found for 3 days is almost impossible, imho.
You are right about the topo maps...but its doubtful they would have one...unless it was in the car with their lunch!
::shrug::
Guess we will never really know what the deal was.
In their case, perhaps a long rope tied from their waists to the car door would be a better "guidance system".
Floridians confused by topography .... I'm sure it happens all the time.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.